IRAN, CIRCA 1580

Souren Melikian-Chirvani indicates that black and red pigmented paste inlay featured in bronze and brass works in the middle Safavid era (A.S. Melikian-Chirvani, Islamic Metalwork from the Iranian World. 8-18th Centuries, London, 1982, p.267). Only very few metalwares, however, retain their original inlay, and this impressive candlestick shows some remains of both red and black paste. Its inscription is by Sa’di Shirazi and relates to the Moth and Flame analogy from Fariduddin Attar’s Sufi fables. The couplets engraved on our object were commonly featured on Safavid ‘pillar-candlesticks’. For a piece with the same inscription see Melikian-Chirvani, 1982, p.309.

A very similar example with chevron design sold at Sotheby’s, London, 8 October 2008, lot 153. For further examples see (Melikian-Chirvani 1982, pl.131-140, pp. 312-313).